Crime branch seeks custody of Rajan aide

Wary of the flip-flops made by Jigna Vora in her statements, cops wants to corroborate the details with another arrested accused, Paulson Joseph

The Crime Branch is not taking any chances in the investigation of MiD DAY journalist J Dey's murder case.

On Friday, the Crime Branch arrested Jigna Vora, a journalist, on charges of conspiracy in the case. And based on the information provided by Vora, the cops have moved an application in the MCOCA court seeking the police custody of Paulson Joseph, a Chhota Rajan aide.

After she changed her statement thrice, the cops have learnt that Paulson had provided SIM cards to the accused in the Dey murder case. Paulson is also accused of providing SIM cards to the shooters in the Pakmodia Street shootout where Iqbal Kaskar's bodyguard Arif Bael was shot dead on May 17.

Based on fresh information provided by Jigna, the Crime Branch wants to corroborate the details with Paulson. According to the cops, Paulson had allegedly met Vora before Dey's murder and the investigators want to question the duo to corroborate the details.

Changing statementsAfter arresting Vora on Friday, the Crime Branch recorded her statement for the third time. "There are changes in every statement that she has made. We need to corroborate it with Paulson, who is also aware of some facts," said a crime branch officer.

Police said Paulson had supplied global roaming cards to the shooters through which they got in touch with Rajan. Paulson had collected these cards from Ravi Ratesar. These cards require no identity documents, and hence it becomes difficult to trace the caller.

"All the 10 global cards provided by Ratesar are in a serial number and were used by the shooters," said a crime branch officer.

Charges against VoraVora has been booked under several charges, including Sections 302 (murder), 120 (B) (conspiracy), 34 (acts done by several persons), 201 (giving false information) of the IPC, Sections 3, 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, Sections 37 (1) (A) (prohibiting public gathering of more than five persons), 135 (burning effigy of the central government) of the Bombay Police Act and Sections 3(1), 3(2), 3(4) (organised crime) of MCOCA.

Who is Paulson?Paulson Joseph is a Chembur-based aide of gangster Chhota Rajan. His expertise is in providing logistics support to the gang like procuring global roaming SIM cards. He was arrested by the Crime Branch on September 5.